Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Pete's Top Ten of 2017

Let's do this shall we?

10.Hark - MaschinationsMachinations by HARK
It's a damn shame that these guys have just announced they're splitting up as they're one of the most technical and experimental with their riffing in the stoner genre. At least we have two excellent records to remember them by.

9. Bell Witch - Mirror Reaper

Mirror Reaper by Bell Witch
You really need to spend some time with this record, not just because of the 83 minute running length of the one song here, but with its layers and emotional turmoil within. A wonderful tribute to a fallen friend.

8. Godhunter - Codex Narco

Codex Narco by Godhunter
Heavy and beautiful Nine Inch Nails doing doom sounding album. This has been my nicest suprise of the year.

7. Telekinetic Yeti - Abominable
Abominable by Telekinetic Yeti
Two guys making this much noise in the stoner/doom scene is always something to behold. Fuzzy riffs upon slower fuzzy riffs make this an excellent debut release.

6. OHHMS - The FoolThe Fool by OHHMS
If you get a chance to see these guys live, go do it! Much like their shows, this debut full-length is heavy, often chaotic, and often beautifully stripped back. A superb record.

5. Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs - Feed The RatsFeed the Rats by Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
I still enjoy telling people about this band, mainly for the name, but because their sound is an awesome mix of stoner psychedelic pounding. There's only three songs here, but with two of them hitting the 20 minute mark, you know they're something special.

4. Spaceslug - Time Travel DilemmaTime Travel Dilemma by Spaceslug
These Polish stoners are going from strength to strength with each release, exemplifying the claustrophobic riffs with the hazy vocals and heavy-ass song structures, I can't wait to hear what they come up with next.

3. Elder - Reflections of a Floating World
Reflections of a Floating World by Elder
I really don't need to say anything about this. Go read every other End of Year list that any publication has put out and you will see this on there. The best band in the genre at present.

2. REZN - Let It Burn
Let It Burn by REZN
I've had almost an entire year to listen to this record on repeat over and over, and the heaviness of it all never fails to floor me each time. A truly excellent record.

1. Forming The Void - RelicRelic by Forming the Void
This has been the standout record for me this year, by some way, with it's psychedelic tendencies, doom riffs, stoner wanderings, powerful vocals (that guy can sing!!)and one of the best Led Zeppelin covers i've heard. We've had our eye on Forming The Void for some time now, and hearing 'Relic' makes us feel like proud dads.

That's it from me this year, as a whole we've been a bit on the quiet side at Heavy Planet HQ, but we've never stopped listening to everything we've been able to get our hands on, that flame will never die out. I hope each and every one of you have had a great year, and I hope that you do everything you can to make 2018 an even better one.